For the second year in a row, Alex Tyus flirts with leaving Gators but returns

GAINESVILLE -- Give Gators forward Alex Tyus credit for one thing, he allows such plentiful Gator hacks as these to write about something during the doldrums of summer.

So, for the second year in a row, Tyus (Billy Donovan's 6-8 identity crisis) thought about leaving Florida, told everyone he was leaving Florida, waited for the reaction and then returned to Florida. I'm sure psychologists have a term for this type of peculiar pattern, but I'm too lazy right now to look it up.

You might recall that last year around this time, Tyus told everyone via his Facebook page, or Myspace page, or whatever attention-seeking page, that he was transferring away from Florida because he was unhappy with his role on the team. Tyus thinks he's a small forward; Donovan uses him as a power forward. In the end, Donovan convinced Tyus to return to UF. This time around, it was much of the same. Tyus told everyone he was turning pro, everyone told him he was crazy and now Tyus is coming back for his senior season.

Well, welcome back Tyus, but guess what? I don't think your starting position is a guaranteed anymore. Last year, Donovan had no other option but to grovel for Tyus' return. This year, Donovan has options. Alex Tyus meet Patric Young. That's not to say an incoming freshman is going to take away the starting position of a senior, but Young will make Tyus work.

Tyus' return to UF plus the four incoming freshmen gives UF 13 players on scholarship (14 if you count Rutgers transfer Mike Rosario, who will not be eligible until 2011), or the maximum allowed by the NCAA. Donovan had hoped to add another point guard to the 2010 recruiting class but something will have to change for that now to happen. Stay tuned.